Compare and contrast three media articles all depicting the same news item

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Introduction

Compare and contrast three media articles all depicting the same news item People read articles everyday but opinions and form opinions based on what they read. Broad sheets, tabloids and newsmagazines will have their own angles and views about same events. Our opinions are biased on the type of language, text, layout, images, what is emphasised, and what is left out, and how biased the article is. The Mirror (a tabloid), The Times (a broad sheet) and Newsweek a news magazine have all reported on the cable car accident which took place on the slopes of Mt Cermis on the 3rd February 1998. A low flying U.S. military aeroplane cut the cable wire, which caused the car to fall 300ft to the ground killing everyone in it. The three articles are reported in the distinctive styles of their genres. There are many differences between broad sheets and tabloids. The most obvious difference is that the page size of a tabloid is A3, and that of a broad sheet is double this. Other differences are that tabloids use larger pictures and broad sheets more text. All broad sheet newspapers include business and financial news that give an in depth analysis of what is happening in domestic and international economies. Often this is a pullout section. Financial and economic news is reported in tabloids, but it is more of a report of information rather than an analysis. International news is also given more emphasis in broad sheets than tabloids. ...read more.

Middle

There is also a diagram, which visually explains how events unravelled and features the cable car, fighter jets, cable wire and map of Italy with a box indicating the geographical location captions serve as explanation of what happen. This diagram is a quick way for readers on the go to understand in a few moments what took place. If they are interested they can read the whole article. As before mentioned the intended reading age of a tabloid is quite low compare to broad sheets and a newsmagazine, so having a visual explanation which is easy to understand promotes a less intensive read. The maps in The Mirror are very small and easily missed amidst the other diagrams. It is labelled "Italy" and the Adriatic Sea is shown these are the only areas named. The location of the accident is boxed in with no labels. The 'simple minded' tabloid reader probably is not very interested in the specific location, a general idea is all that is needed. The map in The Time it has a scale shows the terrain lakes, and surroundings cities it is core detailed or a more intelligent reader. Where as The Mirror depicts the cable car. The Times has a photograph the EA- 6B Prowler jet that is "part of Nato's Bosnia force." The impact of the photograph can make readers realise that such a jet can easily slice a cable wire and cause fatal destruction; that the potential for damage behind reckless and unsafe flying is horrific. ...read more.

Conclusion

First they put the article under " WORLD AFFAIRS" which means the world needs to be aware of what has happened and mainly the fact that their heading is a big give away. "After a U.S. fighter jet clips a gondola's cable, killing 20, Europe questions America's character." This heading first tells us that the Americans have done something very wrong and second, it tells us that there are questions raised about the character of America by Europe. The tone of this article is biased. The meaning of this article is straightforward and the tone of this article shows that the American Army is irresponsible. In the NEWSWEEK article, it shows the Americans behaviour as reckless by "hot dogging by threading under the cables and high tension wire." There have been complaints to America by Italy; "a collective howl of protest." Newsweek's article tell us that because of the low flying "warplanes," there has been at least, "one miscarriage, made horses throw riders and prompted thousands of complaints to federal authorities." This adds to the part of being a biased article because it has just added all the effects the warplanes have done by flying low. It makes the reader think that the American Airforce is reckless and the actions of the warplanes are terrible. The main text in the NEWSWEEK where it shows that this article is biased is when the article said; "violence is as American as cherry pie." This means that the violence is such an integrated part of American culture. It is common and loved like cherry pie, Americas well known dishes. Tell me what else should I add. ...read more.

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